Space Heaters - A Buyer's Guide to Space Heaters
I'm going to tell you about the safest and most effective space heaters on the market. Hopefully, this guide will save you time and money, helping to you find the best space heater for you.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN PURCHASING A SPACE HEATER
There are several different types of space heaters, each with its own features and benefits:
Convection space heaters are the best option for heating an entire room. They may use a fan for better heat distribution.
Radiant space heaters use a quartz tube, ceramic core, or an electric-ribbon element, and are best used for direct heating. But their heat quickly dissipates when the unit is switched off.
Kerosene and propane heaters, or fuel heaters, are especially useful when there's a power outage, but they weigh a ton, and pose serious fire risks. Fuel-burning space heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and indoor air pollution, and can only be used in areas with good ventilation. Opening a window sort of defeats the purpose, if you know what I mean.
For the purposes of this guide, I will focus on convection and radiant electric space heaters only.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A SPACE HEATER
Safety
Guarding over the heating coils, which helps to reduce the surface temperature to make a heater more fire-safe. Other features to look for include tip-over shut-off devices, so if a heater is knocked over, it will instantly shut itself off, and overheat protecton, which will shut down the unit when it reaches dangerous temperatures.
Again, fire safety is a huge issue, so make sure to buy a space heater than combines the safety features listed above with consistent performance and overall value. Also, be sure that the unit is listed bears the Underwriter's Laboratories seal of approval (look for the UL logo on the tag), which indicates that im complies with their industry-wide safety standards.
Portability
If you plan on using the heater in several different rooms and/or floors of your home, a lightweight model is essential. Also, make sure it has an insulated handle for a safe grip.
Temperature control is also important. Look for a model that has a thermostat. Buy a unit without one, and you'll have to turn it on and off to maintain the desired room temperature. Heaters with multiple output settings (High, Medium, Low) also achieve consistent heating, while saving energy.
Another consideration, beyond price, is largely aesthetic, depending on whether you prefer an upright, compact, or basseboard-style heater.
BEST BETS FOR BUYING A SPACE HEATER
With many appliances, the old adage that "you get what you pay for" is certainly true. Not so with electric space heaters. In tests conducted by Consumer Reports, two of the higher-priced models performed poorly, earning the lowest overall scores. One "provided only fair temperature control and ease of use while the other, equipped with an air purifier, provided lackluster temperature control, cleaned the air poorly, and lacked an overheat-protection feature."
For the budget- and value-concious
Personal radiant heaters can be had for under twenty dollars, and are ideal for when you want to heat just yourself, and not the whole room. Honeywell and Holmes make some of the best personal heaters.
For those who can splurge
DeLonghi and Vornado offer great space heaters if you can afford to spend near or over $100 on a heater.
TIPS FOR SPACE HEATER USE
You want a space heater that offers effective, energy-efficient heating and overall performance at a reasonable price, but you also want it to be safe. A close friend of my wife's lost her home and a lifetime's worth of possessions to a fire started by a portable heater. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, space heaters account for 30% of heating-related injuries and 40% of heating-related deaths. The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there are more than 21,000 fires every year because of space heaters, and almost 300 people die.
According to Consumer Reports, "Overloaded, undersized, or frayed power cords are a major cause of fires, injuries, and deaths associated with space heaters. Inspect your electric space heater's power cord to ensure it's in good condition. If you need to use an extension cord, get a 12- or 14-gauge model. All of the tested electric models have a power cord that's at least 70 inches long. A longer cord gives you greater flexibility in where you can place the heater."
To prevent your space heater from causing your home to go up in flames, be sure to keep it at least three feet from drapes and furniture, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Also, look for the safety features noted above: guards on the heating coils, tip-over and overheat protection, and the Underwriter's Laboratories seal of approval.
For more consumer advice, find space heater reviews of all top brands.
Additional resources to consider for helpful consumer information: Consumer Reports and Consumer Search
